After framing the Diana painting with Clovio's design from the
Farnese Hours, it came time to hang the painting. For a long time, I had in mind to hang it from a blue ribbon, tied with a bow.
Perhaps I was subconsciously thinking of the later French decorative groupings of implements that are properly referred to as "symbols." I also thought the blue bow would be a nice balance to the ignudi's draping in the lower part of the mural.
I was initially very pleased with the final result. But upon looking at it the next morning, I liked it much less. It wasn't just that the bow was a little too sweet, or that I was getting further and further away from Neoclassism. I realized that the blue was more intense than any color in the Diana painting, especially as it was surrounded by that dark auburn. Because of that, it was pulling the eye away from the painting. Can you see that the bow is actually quite a distraction?
So this is when you say to yourself, "It's only paint! Let's go to Plan B."
My second hanger is a simple unbowed ribbon, austere by comparison.
Now, once again, the painting predominates.
.
Dear Mark - you are a perfectionist. When I looked at the first image I thought how lovely, but true to form you are right and the simple unbowed ribbon is correct - as Giulio Clovio would say if he was here "perfectto".
ReplyDeleteDear Rosemary,
DeleteYou are right, I am a perfectionist, and I knew that if I stared at that blue bow, I'd be bothered every single time. If I've taken longer on this project than I would on another, it is in part because I will be living with it for some time to come!
Dear Mark. I'm trying to remember how many times I have said "it's only paint". Recently, I covered a mural of clouds and swallows. "The swallows don't build their nests in the sky" I was told. The swallows paid no attention and built more than fifty nests under our pergola.
ReplyDeleteYour new strand of ribbon is so perfect. Sometimes you have to sleep on it and then you will know what needs to be changed. Now, everything is quiet and balanced and shows off the beautiful art you created when you painted Diana.
Dear Gina,
DeleteI do get the answers to problems in my sleep, and I also look for messages in my dreams, even when the dreams seem strange and just nonsense. And I've learned an important trick for remembering dreams. Sometimes you will lose the gist of a dream almost immediately upon awakening — I'm sure you've had that experience. But if, when you wake up, you don't move your head, and lie perfectly still for a moment or two, you will retain enough of the dream to jot it down. Try it — it works!
while the bow is lovely I agree the 2nd version is much better. no competition!
ReplyDeleteHi, Stefan! It was Mies van der Rohe who said, "Less is more." Leave it to those great architects to get it right.
ReplyDeleteInfinitely better, when less is more! I've still been following your project, despite my absence of commentary, and indeed posts; zen may be "ze end" methinks.
DeleteI do hope that this is not "ze end!"
DeleteHello Mark, The blue ribbon did seem to compete with the painting; now, when the wandering eye catches the glint of the gold peg, the new ribbon leads right back down into the main painting. The original fancy bow also competed too much (and reduced the effectiveness of) the Ionic capitals.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, when art historians discover similar repainting, such as a repositioned arm or a changed background, there is often an implication that the earlier version is somehow better or more important, and there is discussion of removing the overpainting. I can imagine 100 years from now, people (who paid to tour your apartment) exclaiming over the newly discovered and restored blue ribbon!
--Jim
Hello, Jim,
DeleteYour comment gave me a good chuckle. It escapes me now, but there's a specific name for those restored underpaintings.
The interesting thing about the second ribbon is that it's the same Alaea color that surround the ignudi, and yet surrounded by all that auburn, it absolutely becomes brown. And I'm OK with that.
Yes, I agree: the simple ribbon allows the painting to take center stage. It's not that I don't like the blue bow, it seems distracting. You painted both beautifully, Mark.
ReplyDeleteHello, Loi — Sometimes a redo like that is just a matter of getting something out of your system.
Delete